Richard Simmons Was ‘Planning a Comeback,’ Writing New Show Before Death

In his final interview, given to 'People' just two days before his death, Simmons revealed he knew fans missed him, and was writing a new autobiographical show.

In his final interview before his death, granted to People, fitness guru Richard Simmons revealed the reason for his retreat from public life, admitting that he knew “people miss me” and that he was slowly “planning a comeback.”

Simmons passed away at his home this past Saturday, July 13, just one day after his 76th birthday. His cause of death is currently under investigation, though it is presumed to have been from natural causes.

On July 11, he gave his first interview since 2014, which also served as his final interview, to People’s Jason Sheeler. The outlet noted Simmons was in good spirits, singing “Happy Birthday” to himself while doing a breathy impersonation of Marilyn Monroe.

Though Simmons retreated from the public eye a decade ago, he was slowly “tiptoeing back into a more public life” and “planning a comeback,” the outlet reported. For the first time, Simmons revealed his reason for his withdrawal.

“When I decided to retire, it was because my body told me I needed to retire. I have spent time just reflecting on my life. All of the books I wrote, the videos. I never was like, ‘Oh look what I've done.’ My thing was, ‘Oh, look how many people I helped.’”

Simmons realized he could still help people even without producing his classic Sweatin’ to the Oldies or making his high-energy appearances on David Letterman and Rosie O’Donnell’s talk shows.

“Here at home,” Simmons told Sheeler, “I get up every day and help people. Because my work is very serious.” He added, “We answer 100 emails daily,” from his fans seeking help and advice. Simmons would also call those whose problems could not be addressed in a letter.

He explained phoning fellow cancer patients, some suffering from the same skin cancer he had removed, to brighten their days and offer them hope. “I call them, I sing to them. ‘You’re gonna get through this. You just have to believe that.’”

Simmons continued: “I know people miss me. And you know what? I miss them, too. But I'm able to reach them through phone calls…and through emails. And I do leave the house sometimes. But I'm in disguise.”

But a few months ago, Simmons had begun a slow journey back into the spotlight. He was working with famed composer Patrick Leonard on an autobiographical Broadway show and was gradually inching back to social media.

“I've written 14 songs for a Broadway show,” Simmons proudly told Sheeler. “And I'm working with an amazing man—Patrick Leonard. I don't know if you know his name, but he wrote music for Madonna, Elton John. He's like one of the biggest.”

"I write the lyrics, and he writes the music,” Simmons explained. “The whole show is about my life—from selling pralines in New Orleans at a candy store when I was a kid, to when I decided to retire. Every week, I write an audio. So this is the one for this week. Can I read it to you?”

“Of course you can,” Sheeler encouraged him.

Simmons read his lyrics: “How do you deal with loss? It takes a toll on your heart. Some shed many tears, others stare at the sky. It's so hard to say goodbye. Here is what I know when it's time for us to go, beautiful angels will greet us with a smile and a hello.”

You can read Simmons' full interview here.